The free event takes place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. March 13-14, and 20-21.

Sugarhouses across Ohio will be open for the free, drive-it-yourself tour. Experienced sugar makers will be on hand to answer questions and conduct tours.

Several stops are Amish sugarhouses, which are only available for tours on Saturday.

Dress for the weather

Visitors are reminded to dress for the weather with coats and boots. A complete listing of all the stops will be available at each stop or can be printed off at www.ohiomapleproducers.com.

Three hub stops

This year there are three hub stops that are set up with statewide maps and directions. The hub stops are Richards Maple Products, 545 Water Street, Chardon; Burton Log Cabin, Burton Park; and Camp Whitewood, Wiswell Road, Windsor.

Tradition continues

Maple syrup production in northeast Ohio dates back to Native Americans who tapped the maple tree each spring to make sweet sugar.

The tradition continued, beginning with early settlers and has survived to today. Some of the stops will be small ventures where enough sweet, golden syrup is made for the family’s annual needs to large commercial operations.

For more information on the tour or maple production, contact Terese L. Volkmann, tour chair, 440-834-1415 or volkmann@simcon.net

March Maple Madness Tour

Open to the public 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. March 13-14 and March 20-21 unless noted.

Chardon area hub stop:

—- Richards Maple Products; 545 Water St., Rt. 6, Chardon City.

—- Geauga County Maple Festival Sugarhouse; south end of Historic Chardon Square; March 14 & 21.

—- Tappin’ Sunday at the Geauga County Maple Festival Sugarhouse; March 14 only.